RPM is Life

There are no longer any Harriers operating in the RAF. This is a shame, as it was a demanding but fun jet to fly.

In the old days though, before a pilot's first deployment to operate from remote woodland sites, it was the squadron QFI's job (QFI = Qualified Flying Instructor) to make sure that the youngsters were prepared for life in the field. The bit that sticks in my mind was the importance of engine RPM. The QFI would lead a discussion about parameters that would lead to a decision to eject during a take off. In terms of engine thrust, if you didn't have enough engine RPM, you didn't have enough thrust. There simply wasn't time for analysis and the trees were rushing up fast. On my squadron, the discussion would always end with the QFI asking 'What is RPM?', and the only acceptable answer was 'RPM is life!'

Armed with that simple philosophy, we would head off into the woods for 2 weeks of fun and games. Day one's first challenge was to find the deployed site, bearing in mind that it was camouflaged. Then you need to locate the 50' square landing pad, and establish a high hover at 100' in order to avoid damaging the surrounding trees. As you won't see the pad from the hover, dayglo makers are arranged beyond it so that you can position in the centre of the pad. However, the markers will put your head in the centre of the pad, and you need to land your 35' long jet in the middle, not your head. You finally see the pad as you descend through 20'. Before then you need to have gently moved forward, without references, so that you are in the correct place. After that it's simply a matter of cushioning the landing with power, slamming the thrust lever closed exactly as the jet touches down to avoid a 'power bounce', standing on the brakes to arrest any forward movement, quickly selecting the nozzles forward to avoid melting the pad and remembering to breathe. Did I mention that due to performance issues in the summer, you probably only had about 2 minutes to tanks dry when you came into the hover, and sometimes less?

In comparison, the take off was a rather more agricultural affair. Check the engine acceleration during taxy out by slamming the throttle open and checking the time from idle to mid range power, If that was correct, then mid range to full power should take less than 3 seconds. Remember 'RPM is Life', but if that RPM isn't achieved in 3 seconds, then you will still hit the trees at the end of the strip. So, having checked the 'accels', we are confident that the thrust will be delivered, but when do we rotate the nozzles to get airborne? On a runway it is done at a pre-computed speed. On grass though, the bouncing around means you can't even see the instruments, never mind what's written on them! So it's back to our friend the dayglo marker. The take off run is precomputed, the distance paced out, and a marker is placed abeam that point. Slam the throttle open at the right place, rotate the nozzles abeam the marker, and you miss the trees - simples.

Then, rush around at 420 knots and 250' for half an hour, run out of fuel, return to the site, refuel, and repeat. Do this 5 or 6 times in the day, then help mates to assemble 12' square heavy canvas tent, take tea, find nearest pub, and later retire back to tent and 'green worm' sleeping bag. Repeat process for 5 days, party hard at the weekend, repeat for another 5 days, then recover the jets to main base trying not to fall asleep during the transit back.

If, at any stage of the process, you forget that 'RPM is Life'...the consequences are not good.

As, I made clear at the beginning, there are no new Harrier pilots in the UK to pass this advice on to. Nevertheless, the point is clear - don't forget the basics

In my current job examining on and operating the Boeing 757 & 767, I hear all sorts of techniques for how to flare the jet on landing. Most of them work, but none of them are consistently better than the simple advice in the manual. Whenever a pilot is struggling and asks me for advice about landing, I point them to the manual - don't forget the basics.

Most instructors and examiners are not Skygods, we're just average Joe's - but with a passion for the job, a knowledge of the manuals and regulations, and enough skill to get the job done.

So, if you ever get the chance to fly the Harrier, remember - RPM is Life!

For the rest of us  - never forget the basics - keep your knowledge up to date, keep your skill levels current, and apply your craft with judgement, control, and discipline.